Are misalignments of perceptions and self‐efficacy causing gender gaps in entrepreneurial intentions among our nation's teens?

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the reasons behind the significant gender gaps observed in entrepreneurial interest among adolescents. Specifically, the authors aim to test multiple models that analyze direct and indirect relationships between work and leadership experience, presence of a parental role model, self‐efficacy, and interest by teens in becoming entrepreneurs.Design/methodology/approachA sample of over 5,000 middle and high school students participated in the larger study from which the data were drawn. Participants completed measures of entrepreneurial self‐efficacy, entrepreneurial intentions, work and leadership experience, and parental entrepreneurial role model. The authors analyzed the data using structural equation modeling.FindingsWhile the study confirmed previous empirical findings regarding the antecedents of entrepreneurial self‐efficacy and entrepreneurial intentions, significant differences across gender emerged. First, while boys and girls hold jobs outside of school in comparable numbers, this work experience is much more powerful in generating self‐efficacy among boys. Additionally, the findings indicated that self‐efficacy seemed to have a stronger effect on entrepreneurial interest for girls than for boys, and that having an entrepreneurial mother or father had a significant and positive effect on girls' (but not boys') levels of the entrepreneurial interest.Research limitations/implicationsCommon method variance and other typical limitations of cross‐sectional self‐report surveys are acknowledged. Future research should use longitudinal and multi‐method approaches to overcome such limitations.Practical implicationsFindings suggest that feeling like they are able to succeed as entrepreneurs might count more for girls than for boys when considering career options, and demonstrate the value of entrepreneurial role models for young girls, especially those who already have the confidence and perceived skills to launch their own future ventures.Originality/valueThe paper documents research that represents one of the few large‐scale studies of US teens examining entrepreneurial intentions and antecedents across gender.

Exploring gender differences in attitudes of university students towards entrepreneurship

“…This means that low levels of self-efficacy, resulting from the perceived absence of necessary skills and abilities, influence females more negatively in terms of entrepreneurial intentions. Thus, self-efficacy plays a more significant role in the entrepreneurial behaviour of females compared to males (Kickul et al, 2008;Bandura et al, 2001). …”

Promoting entrepreneurial potential in adolescents: A pilot study based on intergenerational contact

“…Similarly, some studies have shown that women reject the idea of starting up a new business due to a perception that they lack the necessary skills (Chen, Greene & Crick, 1998;Kickul, Wilson, Marlino & Barbosa, 2008;Mueller & Conway Dato-On, 2008;Wilson et al, 2007). It should also be taken into account that Athayde (2009) confirmed a higher global score in the ATE among men than women, consequently:…”

What Do Freshmen Want? Career Path Preferences Among Students

“…Women have made significant progress in entrepreneurship (Kickul et al, 2008) and it became an important source of employment for women across many countries. The number of female entrepreneurs has increased significantly in recent years but still it is more than obvious that the number of businesses owned by women is remarkably lower than the number of businesses owned by men (Guptaa et al, 2014; Pines et al, 2010).…”